Expedition Meets in: Punta Arenas, Chile
Continents: South America and Antarctica
Currency: Chilean peso in Chile and US dollar in Antarctica
Population: 124,169 (Punta Arenas, Chile) and 1,000 – 4,000 (Antarctica)
Official Language: Spanish in Punta Arenas, Chile, and no official language in Antarctica, but English, Spanish, and Russian are among the most commonly spoken languages at the research stations.
Seasons to Climb: During the Antarctic summer you can take advantage of the warmer climbing temperatures and reduce the risk of frostbite.
Getting There & Meeting Location:
Getting to Punta Arenas, Chile, is relatively straightforward, with several airlines offering flights to and from the city each day. Due to its southerly latitude, most climbers will have more than 12 hours of flights to reach Punta Arenas. Please pay close attention to your flight times, layovers, and leave date. In the days leading up to your flight, double-check that your flight has not been canceled or changed.
Most flights to Punta Arenas connect through Santiago. Remember to collect your checked luggage BEFORE clearing customs. You will then need to re-check your bags for your domestic flight to Punta Arenas at the domestic terminal. If your luggage does not arrive, please complete a missing form/claim for lost luggage BEFORE leaving the Santiago airport.
The first day of your itinerary is an arrival day, meaning you can book your flights to arrive in Punta Arenas at any time on that first day. We strongly recommend arriving a day in advance, if possible (the day before the arrival day), or at the very least in the morning or early afternoon of Day 1.
Possible flight and luggage delays are two of the reasons we have scheduled a few buffer and prep days in Punta Arenas, as the Antarctic flight service will not hold flights onto the ice for delayed passengers, luggage, or any other reason.
We’ve built in a planning day after everyone arrives in Punta Arenas on Day 2. The whole team will meet this day, usually at breakfast, to make introductions, have our team briefing, and answer any questions.
Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, it is easy and affordable to grab a taxi to your hotel. CTSS will email you prior to the climb with updated hotel information to make sure you get to the right spot. Check in at the front desk and let your guide know you made it. Relax and unwind, knowing that you have no formal activities today. Your guide may be out buying and packing food but will check in with you as soon as possible upon returning to the hotel.
Punta Arenas, Chile International Airport
- Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ)
Expedition Transportation:
Your flights in Punta Arenas, Chile to and from Union Glacier, Antarctica, and Vinson Base Camp are included in your expedition.
Accommodation:
Your expedition includes all of your accommodations, as noted in the inclusions and exclusions.
Money:
It is better to have more money than you need than not enough. Most things are covered on the trip once you land in Chile. You can review the inclusions and exclusions list for more details. Once you land in Punta Arenas, Chile, you can exchange your money for Chilean pesos to use while you are in Punta Arenas. While in Antarctica, you can use US dollars.
Tipping:
Tipping is customary while you are in Chile. Tipping taxi drivers is not expected, but rounding up is appreciated. A tip of 1,000 pesos per night per person is considered a good tip for housekeeping, and a little tip per bag is expected for bellhops. Guide tips, although not required, are always appreciated by our dedicated guide staff.
Language:
Chile’s official language is Spanish. While in Punta Arenas, you should expect difficulty finding English-speaking shopkeepers or the general public. Most hotel front desk employees will have some command of English, and our logistics staff speak English well.
The common language in Union Glacier, Antarctica, is English.
Cell Phone Coverage:
Chile Country Code: +56
While you may find cell coverage in Punta Arenas, Chile, please check with your provider about roaming or international charges. Wi-fi calling from hotels in Punta Arenas is also an option.
There is no cell phone coverage in Antarctica. All communications must be done via satellite phone or text on the Iridium satellite network. CTSS will have a satellite phone that can be made available to clients at $3 per minute on a very limited basis. Please don’t count on having frequent access to the satellite phone, as we want to conserve battery power in case of an emergency. Please prepare your friends and family at home to be out of communication and to rely on the blog/CTSS for updates. Remember that no news is good news. Family and friends need to understand that the blog may not get updated every day and that the lack of updates does not indicate any problems.
Local Emergency Contacts:
In Chile, you can reach emergency services by dialing:
Ambulance: 131
Fire: 132
Police: 132
International Arrivals & Visas:
If you are transferring through Santiago, Chile, you will need to clear customs there, claim your bags at the international terminal, and recheck them at the domestic terminal. Upon exiting the plane, walk to the customs area and have your passport and visa form handy. This process can take some time, so make sure you have at least three hours between flights. It can take up to an hour to clear customs, depending on the number of flights landing. If it is your first time in Chile, you may be required to buy a visa upon arrival at a desk just before getting into the customs line, depending on which country you are from. Double-check if this is required of you before waiting in line.
You should keep a copy of your embassy or consulate information with you while traveling through Chile. For US citizens this information is:
US Embassy Santiago
Av. Andrés Bello 2800
Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
Phone: +56 (2) 2330-3000
https://cl.usembassy.gov
SantiagoUSA@state.gov
Electrical – Punta Arenas:
Chile’s grid operates at 220 volts and 50 hertz utilizing Type C and Type L plug styles. Note that Type C sockets also work with Type E and F plug styles, while Type L sockets also work with Type C plugs. Review your electronics and bring any necessary adapters with you.
Electrical – Antarctica:
While CTSS cannot guarantee access to electrical plug-ins while at Union Glacier camp they are often available to charge basic electronics or battery packs. The grid at Union Glacier runs the same as the U.S. grid, operating at 120 volts AC power with North American Type A and B plugs.
Potable Water:
It is recommended to opt for bottled water or treat your own tap water while traveling in Chile. We will provide snow melt while on our climb/ski but will not boil the water prior to filling water bottles to save fuel and time. Please bring water purification for your personal water bottles. In established Antarctic field stations, the provided water is potable.